Secretary Blinken warns Russia that it would be "a grave mistake" to invade Ukraine

Ukraine's foreign minister has taken part in strategic talks in Washington with the US secretary of state. The meeting was announced as the Ukrainian defence ministry reported that around 90 Russian troops have been deployed along the border and in rebel-held parts of eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine celebrated its 30th anniversary of independence from the Soviet Union at the end of August. Experts say that Russia, however, still poses a major security threat, with around 90 Russian forces deployed for the second time this year on the border between the two countries.

Voice of America correspondent Cindy Saine reports that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomed Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to the State Department on Wednesday, assuring him of unwavering American support.

"Moscow's intentions are not clear. But we know its script and we are concerned that Russia could repeat the actions of 2014, when it massed forces along the border and violated sovereign Ukrainian territory, with unfounded claims of provocation," Secretary Blinken said.

Minister Kuleba said that the Russian aggression against Kiev will end only if Ukraine becomes a full member of Western organizations. Ukraine wants to join NATO, which is strongly opposed by Moscow, which also opposes joint Ukraine-NATO military exercises, calling them a security threat to Russia. Minister Kuleba told VOA's Ukrainian-language service that Russia is using energy as a weapon against Ukraine and Europe, and called on Germany to act.

"The energy crisis that Russia has created in the European Union market is due to the use of gas as a weapon. We remember very well the joint US-Germany statement: 'If Russia starts using energy as a weapon, Germany will take decisive action.' We are grateful to Germany for its continued support for Ukraine, but what is really happening?" Minister Kuleba told Voice of America.

With fighting continuing between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, this is an important moment for security talks between Secretary Blinken and Minister Kuleba, former Ambassador William Taylor tells VOA.

"Russian leaders have made some troubling statements in recent months, signaling that they don't think of Ukraine as a real country. And that's very threatening on the part of the Russians. So it's a good moment for the United States and Ukraine to coordinate, to make plans, and to strengthen their relationship," he says.

Taylor told VOA that the last time Russia massed forces near the Ukrainian border this year, President Joe Biden strongly objected and Russian President Putin withdrew most of the forces, but not all of the military equipment. President Biden also hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the White House in September, again demonstrating support.